MY STORY

When you were a child what did you dream to become when you grow up?

My mom told me that she wanted to be a teacher of math from her 3rd grade at school. But it was not about me. I didn't know what profession I wanted to get. I felt bad because of it. My parents are school teachers and they always said to me that this profession is the most worthy profession in the world. So, I wanted to enter Kiev State Teacher's Training University to become a teacher of math and physics. I knew it very well and enjoyed it. But, I didn't become a student of this State University and I didn't understand why as I did my best on the exams. 

Now I understand that it was God's plan for me and He directed my life before I didn't know Him yet. In short time I went to another University of Food Technology and without any problems became a student of that State University. I chose to be an engineer-technologist in the dairy industry. From first year I liked my speciality very much. Also one day at that time Ukrainian missionaries from Campus Crusade for Christ Int. came to my room in the dorm and told me the story about Jesus. It was in November 1997.

In my family there were some traditions to celebrate Christmas and Easter but we never talked about God and all these events. My father’s parents were communists and I remember the portrait of Lenin (the leader of communism) on the wall in their house. They were simple people, believed in the best ideals of communism and gave their lives for it. They didn’t believe in Jesus as a Savior and God.

So, when 2 missionaries came to me they were the first true believers I met. And by that time the communism already fell.

I heard some stories about Jesus before. But I just respected it as wonderful stories and didn’t believe that it could be true. I’m happy that these 2 Christian girls came and told me in very simple way about God, His salvation through Jesus and what God says I should do.  

It was first time when I realized that Jesus died for my sins and I should answer Him. I did not see any reasons why not accepting HIS love. So, at this first meeting with Christians I prayed and asked God to save me, forgive me and lead me His ways in my life. In short time my new friends came back and helped me to grow up in my Christian life. We had small Bible study group in my room in the dorm. I had 3 more roommates but they were not interested to listen about God. So, very soon I started to read the Bible to pray with other Christians, to go to church and also the biggest thing was that I started to share the story about Jesus with others in my dorm and University in that simple way as I learned.

I liked my specialty and I felt as I did something very important for all people because most people eat diary products from childhood and during their lives. I enjoyed making up new kinds of healthy milk products.

Also at that time God did interesting things through my faithful sharing the Gospel. In my dorm several girls received Christ too. And now I helped them to grow in their faith in a discipleship group. In 3 years one of these girls started to help other girls who accepted Christ through her witnessing.

When I graduated from the University God opened my eyes to see what He did just in 5 years in me and through me. God touched my heart to see the big need in Christ of a great number of students.

 Jesus said: “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."(Mt.9:37,38)

I wanted to produce milk products and help people to live a healthier life but God gave me the highest privilege to be an engineer in ‘spiritual milk’ and help people to be healthy forever and bring God's word of eternal life to people!

As one of my favorite Bible verse says: “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. (1Pe.2:2,3)

In 2002 I joined Ukraine for Christ minisry as a part of Campus Crusade for Christ and became a missionary among students. And today I have the same pattion to share the Gospel with students as 11 years ago.